Inbred corn line ZS1679

ABSTRACT

Broadly this invention provides inbred corn line ZS1679. The methods for producing a corn plant by crossing the inbred line ZS1679 are encompassed by the invention. Additionally, the invention relates to the various parts of inbred ZS1679 including culturable cells. This invention relates to hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line ZS1679 with at least one other corn line.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of corn breeding, specifically relating to an inbred corn line designated ZS1679.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The original maize plant was indigenous to the Western Hemisphere. The plants were weedlike and only through the efforts of early breeders was a cultivated crop species developed. The physical traits of maize are such that self pollination or cross pollination can occur. Each plant has a separate male and female flower, the tassel and ear, respectively. Natural pollination occurs when wind transfers pollen from tassel to the silks on the corn ears. This type of pollination contributed to the wide variation of maize varieties present in the Western Hemisphere.

The development of a planned breeding program for maize only occurred in the last century. Originally, maize was an open pollinated variety having heterogeneous genotypes. The maize farmer selected uniform ears from the yield of these genotypes and reserved them for planting the next season. The result was a field of maize plants that were segregating for a variety of traits. This type of maize selection lead to at most incremental increases in seed yield.

Large increases in seed yield were the result of the development of hybrid corn varieties in planned breeding programs. Hybrids were developed by selecting corn lines and selfing these lines for several generations to develop homozygous pure inbred lines and crossing selected inbred lines with unrelated inbred lines to produce hybrid progeny (F1). Inbred lines can be difficult to produce since the inbreeding process in corn decreases the vigor. However, when two inbred lines are crossed, the hybrid plant evidences greatly increased Vigor compared to open pollinated segregating maize plants. An important factor of the homozygosity and the homogeneity of the inbred lines is that the hybrid from any cross will always be the same, and can be reproduced.

The ultimate objective of the commercial maize seed companies is to produce high yielding, agronomically sound plants which perform well in certain regions or areas of the Corn Belt. To produce these types of hybrids, the companies must develop inbreds which carry needed traits into the hybrid combination. Hybrids are not uniformly adapted for the Corn Belt, but are specifically adapted for regions of the Corn Belt. Northern regions of the Corn Belt require shorter season hybrids than do southern regions of the Corn Belt. Hybrids that grow well in Colorado and Nebraska soils may not flourish in rich Illinois soil. Thus, a variety of major agronomic traits are important in hybrid combination for the various Corn Belt regions, and have an impact on hybrid performance.

Inbred line development and hybrid testing have been emphasized in the past half century in commercial maize production as a means to increase hybrid performance. Inbred development is usually done by pedigree selection. Pedigree selection can be selection in an F₂ population produced from a planned cross of two genotypes (often elite inbred lines), or selection of progeny of synthetic varieties, open pollinated, composite, or backcross populations. This type of selection is effective for highly inheritable traits, but other traits, for example, yield requires replicated test crosses at a variety of stages for accurate selection.

Maize breeders select for a variety of traits in inbreds that impact hybrid performance along with selecting for acceptable parental traits. Such traits include yield potential in hybrid combination; dry down; maturity; grain moisture at harvest; greensnap; resistance to root lodging; resistance to stalk lodging; grain quality; disease and insect resistance; ear and plant height; performance in different soil types such as: low level of organic matter, clay, sand, black, high pH, low pH; performance in: wet environments, drought environments, and no tillage conditions. These traits appear to be governed by a complex genetic system that makes selection and breeding of an inbred line extremely difficult. Even if an inbred in hybrid combination has excellent yield (a desired characteristic), it may not be useful because it fails to have acceptable parental traits such as seed yield, seed size, pollen production, good silks, plant height, etc.

To illustrate the difficulty of breeding and developing inbred lines, the following example is given. Two inbreds compared for similarity of 29 traits differed significantly for 18 traits between the two lines. If 18 simply inherited single gene traits were polymorphic with gene frequencies of 0.5 in the parental lines, and assuming independent segregation (as would essentially be the case if each trait resided on a different chromosome arm), then the specific combination of these traits as embodied in an inbred would only be expected to become fixed at a rate of one in 262,144 possible homozygous genetic combinations. Selection of the specific inbred combination is also influenced by the specific selection environment on many of these 18 traits which makes the probability of obtaining this one inbred even more remote. Thus, the general procedure of producing a non segregating F₁ generation and self pollinating to produce a F₂ generation that segregates for traits does not easily lead to a useful inbred. Great care and breeder expertise must be used in selection of breeding material to continue to increase yield and agronomics of inbreds and resultant commercial hybrids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an inbred corn line ZS1679. Specifically, this invention relates to plants and seeds of this line. Additionally, this relates to a method of producing hybrid seed corn from this inbred. More particularly, this invention relates to the unique combination of traits that combine in corn line ZS1679.

Generally then, broadly the present invention includes an inbred corn seed designated ZS1679. This seed produces a corn plant.

The invention also includes the tissue culture of regenerable cells of ZS1679 wherein the tissue regenerates plants having the genotype of ZS1679. The tissue culture is selected from the group consisting of leaves, pollen, embryos, roots, root tips, anthers, silk, flowers, kernels, ears, cobs, husks and stalks, and cells and protoplasts thereof. The corn plant regenerated from ZS1679 having ZS1679's genotype.

The invention extends to hybrid seed produced by planting, in pollinating proximity, seeds of corn inbred lines ZS1679 and another inbred line; cultivating corn plants resulting from said planting; preventing pollen production by the plants of one of the inbred lines; allowing natural cross pollinating to occur between said inbred lines; and harvesting seeds produced on plants of the inbred. The hybrid seed produced by hybrid combination of plants of inbred corn seed designated ZS1679 and plants of another inbred line. Hybrid plants grown from this hybrid seed.

The invention further includes a method of hybrid F1 production. A first generation (F1) hybrid corn plant produced by the process of planting, in pollinating proximity, seeds of corn inbred lines ZS1679 and another inbred line; cultivating corn plants resulting from said planting; preventing pollen production by the plants of one of the inbred lines; allowing natural cross pollinating to occur between said inbred lines; harvesting seeds produced on plants of the inbred; and growing a harvested seed.

A tissue culture of the regenerable cells of hybrid plants produced with use of ZS1679 genetic material. A tissue culture of the regenerable cells of the corn plant produced by the method described above.

DEFINITIONS

In the description and examples which follow, a number of terms are used. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of the specifications and claims, including the scope to be given such terms, the following definitions are provided.

BL MOIST

The moisture percentage of the grain at black layer, ie, when 50% of the plants per plot have reached physiological maturity.

COLD GERM

Cold Germ is a measurement of seed germination under cold soil conditions. Data is reported as percent of seed germinating.

ECB European corn borer, a maize eating insect. ECBI is the first brood generation of European corn borers. ECBII is the second generation of European corn borers.

EMERGE

The number of emerged plants per plot (planted at the same seedling rate) collected when plants have two fully developed leaves.

GI

This is a selection index which provides a single quantitative measure of the worth of a hybrid based on four traits. Yield is the primary trait contributing to index values. The GI value is calculated by combining stalk lodging, root lodging, yield and dropped ears according to the attached mathematical formula:

    GI=100+0.5 (YLD)-0.9 (% STALK LODGE)-0.9 (% ROOT LODGE)-2.7 (% DROPPED EAR)

GLS

Grey Leaf Spot (Cercospora Zeae) disease rating. This is rated on a 1-9 scale with a "1" being very susceptible, and a "9" being very resistant.*

GW

Goss' Wilt (Corynebacterium nebraskense). This is rated on a 1-9 scale with a "1" being very susceptible, and a "9" being very resistant.*

HEATP10

The number of Growing Degree Units (GDU's) or heat units required for an inbred line or hybrid to have approximately 10 percent of the plants shedding pollen. This trait is measured from the time of planting. Growing Degree Units are calculated by the Barger Method where the GDU's for a 24 hour period are: ##EQU1## The highest maximum temperature used is 86° F. and the lowest minimum temperature used is 50° F. For each inbred or hybrid it takes a certain number of GDU's to reach various stages of plant development.

HEATBL

The number of GDU's after planting when approximately 50 percent of the inbred or hybrid plants in a plot have grain which has reached physiological maturity (black layer).

HEATPEEK

The number of GDU's after planting of an inbred when approximately 50 percent of the plants show visible tassel extension.

HEATP 50

The number of GDU's required for an inbred or hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plants shedding pollen. Growing Degree Units are calculated by the Barger Method as shown in the HEATP10 definition.

HEATP 90

The number of GDU's accumulated from planting when the last 100 percent of plants in an inbred or hybrid are still shedding enough viable pollen for pollination to occur. Growing Degree Units are calculated by the Barger Method as shown in the HEATP10 definition.

HEATS10

The number of GDU's required for an inbred or hybrid to have approximately 10 percent of the plants with silk emergence of at least 0.5 inches. Growing Degree Units are calculated by the Barget Method as shown in the HEATP10 definition.

HEATS50

The number of GDU's required for an inbred or hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of the plants with silk emergence of at least 0.5 inches. Growing Degree Units are calculated by the Barger Method as shown in the HEATP10 definition.

HEATS90

The number of GDU's required for an inbred or hybrid to have approximately 90 percent of the plants with silk emergence of at least 0.5 inches. Growing Degree Units are calculated by the Barger Method as shown in the HEATP10 definition.

MDMV_(A)

Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus strain A. The corn is rated on a 1-9 scale with a "1" being very susceptible, and a "9" being very resistant.*

MDMV_(B)

Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus strain B. This is rated on a 1-9 scale with a "1" being very susceptible and a "9" being very resistant.*

MOISTURE

The average percentage grain moisture of an inbred or hybrid at harvest time.

NLB

Northern Leaf Blight (Exserohilum turcicum) disease rating. This is rated on a 1-9 scale with a "1" being very susceptible, and a "9" being very resistant.*

PCT TILLER

The total number of tillers per plot divided by the total number of plants per plot.

PLANT

This term includes plant cells, plant protoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which corn plants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that are intact in plants or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, flowers, kernels, ears, cobs, leaves, husks, stalks, roots, root tips, anthers, silk and the like.

PLANT HEIGHT

The distance in centimeters from ground level to the base of the tassel peduncle.

RM

Predicted relative maturity based on the moisture percentage of the grain at harvest. This rating is based on a known set of checks and utilizes standard linear regression analyses and is referred to as the Minnesota Relative Maturity Rating System.

SHED

The volume of pollen shed by the male flower rated on a 1-9 scale where a "1" is a very light pollen shedder, a "4.5" is a moderate shedder, and a "9" is a very heavy shedder. If the Table(s) 3 have reduced the 1-9shed scale then any shed of table 3 can be multiplied by 3 to reach the 1-9 shed scale.

SLB

Southern Leaf Blight (Bipolaris maydis) disease rating. This is rated on a 1-9 scale with a "1" being very susceptible, and a "9" being very resistant.*

TWT

The measure of the weight of grain in pounds for a one bushel volume adjusted for percent grain moisture.

VIGOR

Visual rating of 1 to 9 made 2-3 weeks post-emergence where a "1" indicates very poor early plant development, and a "9" indicates superior plant development.

WARM GERM

A measurement of seed germination under ideal (warm, moist) conditions. Data is reported as percent of seeds germinating.

YIELD (YLD)

Actual yield of grain at harvest adjusted to 15.5% moisture. Measurements are reported in bushels per acre.

% DROPPED EARS (DE)

The number of plants per plot which dropped their primary ear divided by the total number of plants per plot.

% LRG FLAT

Percentage by weight of shelled corn that passes through a 26/64 inch round screen and a 14/64 inch slot screen, but does not pass through a screen with 20.5/64 inch round openings.

% LRG ROUND

Percentage by weight of shelled corn that passes through a 26/64 inch round screen, but does not pass through a 14/64 inch slot screen or a screen with 20.5/64 inch round openings.

% MED FLAT

Percentage by weight of shelled corn that passes through a 20.5/64 inch round screen and a 13/64 inch slotted screen, but does not pass through a screen with 17/64 inch round openings.

% MED ROUND

Percentage by weight of shelled corn that passes through a 20.5/64 inch round screen, but does not pass through a 13/64 inch slot screen or a screen with 17/64 inch round openings.

% SML FLAT

Percentage by weight of shelled corn that passes through a 17/64 inch round screen and a 12/64 inch slotted screen, but does not pass through a screen with 15/64 inch round openings.

% SML ROUND

Percentage by weight of shelled corn that passes through a 17/64 inch round screen, but does not pass through a 12/64 inch slotted screen or a screen with 15/64 inch round openings.

% ROOT LODGE (RL)

Percentage of plants per plot leaning more that 30 degrees from vertical divided by total plants per plot.

% STALK LODGE (SL)

Percentage of plants per plot with the stalk broken below the primary ear node divided by the total plants per plot. * Resistant--on a scale of 1-9 with 9 evidencing the trait most strongly: 1-2.9 ratings are susceptible, 3-5.9 ratings are intermediate, and 6-9 ratings are resistant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The inbred ZS1679 has very good stalk and root strength and has late season health and staygreen. This inbred is an excellent male parent and carries the highest male index in 1994. This inbred has an extremely narrow cob diameter which appears to be helpful in promoting fast drydown in hybrid combinations. The inbred also evidences a unique dark orange seed color which is considered by many farmers to be linked with higher test weight grain than is lighter test weight grain.

The drydown or the low grain moisture at harvest appears to be a trait that the present inbred brings into hybrid combination across a variety of testers. ZS1679 in hybrid combination tends to flower later but dry much faster than other similar maturity hybrids. This trait permits the use of ZS1679 in crosses with higher yielding inbreds that flower later to produce high yielding dry early hybrids. The primary area of adaptation is limited by pH sensitivity. Additionally, ZS1679 has excellent ratings for resistance to stalk and root lodging across a variety of testers. This inbred evidences good resistance to common corn rust at 7.0.

The inbred has shown uniformity and stability within the limits of environmental influence for all the traits as described in the Variety Description Information (Table 1) that follows. Most of the data in the Variety Description information was collected at Slater, Iowa.

The inbred has been self-pollinated for a sufficient number of generations to give inbred uniformity. During plant selection in each generation, the uniformity of plant type was selected to ensure homozygosity and phenotypic stability. The line has been increased in isolated farmland environments with data on uniformity and agronomic traits being observed to assure uniformity and stability. No variant traits have been observed or are expected in ZS1679.

The best method of producing the invention, ZS1679 which is substantially homozygous, is by planting the seed of ZS1679 which is substantially homozygous and self-pollinating or sib pollinating the resultant plant in an isolated environment, and harvesting the resultant seed or the resultant pollen.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________     ZS1679                                                                         VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION                                                __________________________________________________________________________     #1    Type: Dent                                                               #2    Region Best Adapted: Northern                                            INBREAD ZS1679                                                                 #3    MATURITY                                                                 DAYS  HEATUNITS                                                                76    1426            FROM PLANTING TO 50% OF PLANTS IN SILK                   73    1356            FROM PLANTING TO 50% OF PLANTS IN POLLEN                  8                    FROM 10% TO 90% POLLEN SHED                              #4    PLANTS                                                                   DATA                                                                           4                     ANTHOCYANIN OF BRACE ROOTS: 1 = ABSENT 2 =                                     FAINT 3 = MODERATE 4 = DARK                              #5    LEAF                                                                     COLOR/                                                                               DATA                                                                     3/    DARK GREEN      LEAF COLOR **MUNSELL CODE-5GY 3/4                        6                     LEAF SHEATH PUBESCENCE (1 = NONE TO 9 = PEACH                                  FUZZ)                                                    6                     MARGINAL WAVES (1 = NONE TO 9 = MANY)                    7                     LONGITUDINAL CREASES (1 = NONE TO 9 = MANY)              #6    TASSEL                                                                   COLOR/                                                                               DATA                                                                     7                     POLLEN SHED (0 = STERILE TO 9 = HEAVY SHEDDER)           5/    GREEN-YELLOW    ANTHER COLOR **MUNSELL CODE-2.5GY 8/10 (Close as                               can get)                                                 02    w/17            GLUME COLOR **MUNSELL CODE-5GY 6/6 w/ 5R3/6                                    STRIPES                                                  2                     BAR GLUME: 1 = ABSENT 2 = PRESENT                        #7A   EAR (UNMUSKED DATA)                                                      COLOR/                                                                               DATA                                                                     14/   RED             SILK COLOR (3 DAYS AFTER EMERGE) **MUNSELL CODE-5R                             3/8                                                      1/    LIGHT GREEN     FRESH HUSK (25 DAYS AFTER 50% SILK) **MUNSELL                                  CODE-5GY 7/10                                            22/   TAN             DRY HUSK COLOR (65 DAYS AFTER 50% SILK **MUNSELL                               CODE-2.5Y 7/4                                            2                     POSITION OF EAR AT DRY HUSK: 1 = UPRIGHT 2 =                                   HORIZONTAL 3 = PENDENT                                   5                     RUSK TIGHTNESS (1 = VERY LOOSE TO 9 = VERY TIGHT)        2                     HUSK EXTENSION AT HARVEST: 1 = EXPOSED EAR 2 = 8 CM                            3 =                                                                            8-10 CM 4 = >10 CM                                       #7B   EAR (HUSKED DATA)                                                        COLOR/                                                                               DATA                                                                     2                     KERNEL ROWS: 1 = INDISTINCT 2 = DISTINCT                 1                     ROW ALIGNMENT: 1 = STRAIT 2 = SLIGHT CURVE 3 =                                 SPIRAL                                                   1                     EAR TAPPER: 1 = STRAIT 2 = AVERAGE 3 = EXTREME           #8    KERNEL (DRY)                                                             COLOR/                                                                               DATA                                                                     2                     ALEURONE COLOR PATTERN: 1 = HOMO 2 = SEG                 8/    YELLOW-ORANGE   ALEURONE COLOR **MUNSELL CODE-2.5Y 8/10                  8/    YELLOW-ORANGE   HARD ENDOSPERM COLOR **MUNSELL CODE-5Y 8/12              3                     ENDOSPERM TYPE                                           7/    YELLOW          CROWN COLOR **MUNSELL CODE-2.5Y 8/10                     #9    COB                                                                      COLOR                                                                          14/   RED             COB COLOR **MUNSELL CODE-5R 5/10                         COLOR CHOICES (Use in conjunction with Munsell color code to describe all      color choices                                                                  01 = Light Green                                                                             06 = Pale Yellow                                                                           11 = Pink  16 = Pale Purple                                                                          21 = Buff                      02 = Medium Green                                                                            07 = Yellow 12 = Light Red                                                                            17 = Purple                                                                               22 = Tan                       03 = Dark Green                                                                              08 = Yellow-Orange                                                                         13 = Cherry Red                                                                           18 = Colorless                                                                            23 = Brown                     04 = Very Dark Green                                                                         09 = Salmon 14 = Red   19 = White 24 = Bronze                    05 = Green-Yellow                                                                            10 = Pink-Orange                                                                           15 = Red & White                                                                          20 = White Capped                                                                         25 = Variegated                                                                (Describe)                                                                     26 = Other (Describe)          #10                                                                               INBRED ZS1679                                                                                           N MEAN   STD.                                                                               T-STAT PROB                                                                               95% CI                     __________________________________________________________________________     EAR HEIGHT(CM)              15                                                                               62.00  8.32                                                                               28.85  0.0000                                                                             (57.79, 66.21)             LENGTH OF PRIMARY EAR LEAF(CM)                                                                             15                                                                               96.47  4.82                                                                               77.46  0.0000                                                                             (94.03, 98.91)             WIDTH OF PRIMARY EAR LEAF(CM)                                                                              15                                                                               8.13   0.92                                                                               34.41  0.0000                                                                             (7.67, 8.60)               TOP EAR INTERNODE(CM)       15                                                                               13.07  2.05                                                                               24.67  0.0000                                                                             (12.03, 14.10)             DEGREE OF LEAF ANGLE        15                                                                               47.47  6.35                                                                               28.97  0.0000                                                                             (44.26, 50.68)             # OF EARS PER PLANT         15                                                                               1.20   0.41                                                                               11.22  0.0000                                                                             (0.99, 1.41)               # OF LEAVES ABOVE TOP EAR   15                                                                               7.07   0.70                                                                               38.89  0.0000                                                                             (6.71, 7.42)               # OF PRIMARY LATERAL TASSEL BRANCHES                                                                       15                                                                               9.27   2.49                                                                               14.40  0.0000                                                                              (8.01, 10.53)             PLANT HEIGHT(CM)            15                                                                               160.9  7.85                                                                               79.32  0.0000                                                                             (156.9, 164.8)             TASSEL LENGTH(CM)           15                                                                               31.07  2.60                                                                               46.21  0.0000                                                                             (29.75, 32.38)             TASSEL BRANCH ANGLE         15                                                                               26.20  5.85                                                                               17.36  0.0000                                                                             (23.24, 29.16)             # OF TILLER PER PLANTS      15                                                                               0.07   0.26                                                                               1.00   0.3343                                                                             (-0.06, 0.20)              WEIGHT PER 100 KERNELS(GM)  15                                                                               27.77  3.10                                                                               34.67  0.0000                                                                             (26.20, 29.34)             EAR LENGTH(CM)              15                                                                               13.75  1.80                                                                               29.53  0.0000                                                                             (12.84, 14.67)             EAR WEIGHT(GM)              15                                                                               50.40  19.40                                                                              10.06  0.0000                                                                             (40.58, 60.22)             # OF KERNEL ROWS            15                                                                               12.67  1.45                                                                               33.89  0.0000                                                                             (11.93, 13.40)             COB DIAMETER AT MID-POINT(MM)                                                                              15                                                                               22.23  1.09                                                                               79.13  0.0000                                                                             (21.68, 22.78)             EAR DIAMETER AT MID-POINT(MM)                                                                              15                                                                               33.84  2.36                                                                               55.43  0.0000                                                                             (32.64, 35.04)             KERNEL LENGTH(mm)           15                                                                               9.13   0.64                                                                               55.67  0.0000                                                                             (8.81, 9.45)               KERNEL THICKNESS(mm)        15                                                                               5.92   0.89                                                                               25.81  0.0000                                                                             (5.47, 6.37)               KERNEL WIDTH(MM)            15                                                                               8.16   0.61                                                                               51.98  0.0000                                                                             (7.85, 8.47)               % ROUND KERNELS(SHAPE GRADE)                                                                               15                                                                               81.07  12.62                                                                              24.88  0.0000                                                                             (74.68, 87.45)             SHANK LENGTH                15                                                                               11.23  4.03                                                                               10.79  0.0000                                                                             (9.19, 13.2)               #11 DISEASE RESISTANCE -                                                                       Common corn rust = 7                                                           Northern leaf blight = 3                                                       Gray leaf spot = 2                                             __________________________________________________________________________

12. The inbred ZS1679 was developed by a synthetic containing five inbreds. This makes it less readily comparable to its parents, but comparison data to two of ZS1679's five parents are shown. Based on genetic makeup and combining ability/maturity comparisons are made to Holden's Inbred #223 and PVP#9200032.

The Munsell code is a reference book of color which is known and used in the industry and by persons with ordinary skill in the art of plant breeding.

Isozyme Genotypes of ZS1679

The purity and homozygosity of inbred ZS1679 is constantly being tracked using isozyme genotypes as shown in Table 2. Isozyme data were generated for inbred corn line ZS1679 according to procedures known and published in the art. The data in Table 2 gives the electrophoresis data on ZS1679.

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     ELECTROPHORESIS RESULTS FOR ZS1679                                             INBRED                                                                               ACP1                                                                               ACP4                                                                               ADH MDH1                                                                               MDH2                                                                               PGD1                                                                               PGD2                                                                               PH1                                                                               PGM IDH2                                  __________________________________________________________________________     ZS1679                                                                               11  55  22  22  22  11  22  22 22  11                                    __________________________________________________________________________

Inbred and Hybrid Performance of ZS1679

The traits and characteristics of inbred corn line ZS1679 are listed to compare with other inbreds and/or in hybrid combination. ZS1679 data shows the characteristics and traits of importance.

Table 3A compares ZS1679 to CM105. ZS1679 has a significantly lower grain harvest moisture with a lower yield than CM105. CM105 has significantly better seedling vigor rating and warm and cold germination scores than does ZS1679. Additionally, CM105 has significantly earlier heat units to pollination and heat units to silking than does ZS1679. ZS1679 is a taller inbred with better pollen shed than is CM105. Additionally, ZS1679 has an ECBI rating over two years of 5.7; CM105 has an ECBI rating over seven years of 5.8. ZS1679 has an ECBII rating over two years of 6.4 and CM105 has 5.0 over eight years.

                                      TABLE 3A                                     __________________________________________________________________________     PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA                                                  __________________________________________________________________________                               PCT   PLANT EAR        EAR     PCT                   YEAR    INBRED                                                                               VIGOR EMERGE                                                                               TILLER                                                                               HEIGHT                                                                               HEIGHT SHED                                                                               QUALITY BARREN                __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL ZS1679                                                                               4.5   85.9        164.3 61.8   2.8 2.0                                   CM105 6.2   84.6        141.8 57.2   1.5 2.3                                   # EXPTS                                                                              3     3           3     3      2   3                                     DIFF  1.7   1.3         22.4  4.7    1.3 0.3                                   PROB  0.063***                                                                             0.906       0.111 0.368  0.319                                                                              0.423                         __________________________________________________________________________     YEAR    INBRED  HEATP10                                                                              HEATP50   HEATP90                                                                              HEATS10  HEATS50                                                                              HEATS90                   __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL ZS1679  1211  1258      1299  1281     1325  1362                              CM105   1118  1149      1205  1174     1213  1267                              # EXPTS 3     3         3     3        3     3                                 DIFF    93    109       94    108      112   95                                PROB    0.052***                                                                             0.043**   0.072***                                                                             0.049**  0.094***                                                                             0.094***                  __________________________________________________________________________                               BL   % ROOT                                                                               % STALK                                                                              % DROPPED                           YEAR   INBRED                                                                               HEATPEEK                                                                              HEATBL                                                                               MOIST                                                                               LODGE LOGDE EARS    MOISTURE                                                                              YIELD                __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL                                                                               ZS1679                                                                               1167   2374  28.0                     8.9    26.6                        CM105 1027   2158  30.8                     10.4   38.6                        # EXPTS                                                                              3      1     1                        3      3                           DIFF  140    215   2.8                      1.5    12.3                        PROB  0.034**                               0.084***                    __________________________________________________________________________                    WARM COLD   % LRG                                                                               % LRG  % MED                                                                               % MED  % SML                                                                               % SML                  YEAR   INBRED  GERM GERM   ROUND                                                                               FLAT   ROUND                                                                               FLAT   ROUND                                                                               FLAT                   __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL                                                                               ZS1679  95.5 87.3   40.5 20.7   26.5 10.3   1.0  0.5                           CM105   98.0 93.3   5.2  15.6   30.6 39.7   4.5  3.0                           # EXPTS 3    3      3    3      3    3      3    3                             DIFF    2.5  6.0    35.2 5.2    4.1  29.4   3.5  2.5                           PROB    0.038**                                                                             0.080***                                                                              0.003*                                                                              0.283  0.368                                   __________________________________________________________________________

Table 3B compares ZS1679 with another of its parents, PVP#8300102. ZS1679 has significantly lower grain moisture at harvest and lower yield than PVP#8300102. ZS1679 is a taller inbred which has significantly better pollen shed than does PVP#8300102. ZS1679 shows slightly later flowering (HeatP and HeatS) than PVP#8300102 and better early seedling stand count than PVP#8300102. Additionally, PVP#8300102 has an ECBI score of 6.0 over eight years and ECBII score of 6.2 over eight years. Thus, ZS1679 has a lower ECBI but higher ECBII score than PVP#8300102.

                                      TABLE 3B                                     __________________________________________________________________________     PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA                                                  __________________________________________________________________________                                PCT   PLANT EAR         EAR   PCT                   YEAR   INBRED  VIGOR EMERGE                                                                               TILLER                                                                               HEIGHT                                                                               HEIGHT                                                                               SHED  QUALITY                                                                              BARREN                __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL                                                                               ZS1679  4.5   85.9        164.3 61.8  2.8   2.0                                PVP #8300102                                                                           4.7   81.4        147.7 62.2  2.3   2.3                                # EXPTS 6     6           6     6     4     6                                  DIFF    0.2   4.5         16.5  0.4   0.5   0.3                                PROB    0.363 0.267       0.124 0.842 0.092***                                                                             0.363                       __________________________________________________________________________     YEAR   INBRED    HEATP10                                                                              HEATP50  HEATP90                                                                              HEATS10   HEATS50                                                                              HEATS90                  __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL                                                                               ZS1679    1211  1258     1299  1281      1325  1362                            PVP #8300102                                                                             1207  1253     1290  1261      1295  1346                            # EXPTS   6     6        6     6         6     6                               DIFF      4     5        9     21        29    16                              PROB      0.771 0.715    0.603 0.255     0.220 0.382                    __________________________________________________________________________                               BL   % ROOT                                                                               % STALK                                                                              % DROPPED                           YEAR   INBRED                                                                               HEATPEEK                                                                              HEATBL                                                                               MOIST                                                                               LODGE LOGDE EARS    MOISTURE                                                                              YIELD                __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL                                                                               ZS1679                                                                               1167   2374  28.0                     8.9    26.6                        PVP   1146   2228  30.3                     10.5   32.0                        #8300102                                                                       # EXPTS                                                                              6      1     1                        6      6                           DIFF  21     146   2.3                      1.6    5.4                         PROB  0.130                                 0.002*                      __________________________________________________________________________                    WARM   COLD % LRG  % LRG                                                                               % MED  % MED                                                                               % SML  % SML                YEAR   INBRED  GERM   GERM ROUND  FLAT ROUND  FLAT ROUND  FLAT                 __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL                                                                               ZS1679  95.5   87.3 40.5   20.7 26.5   10.3 1.0    0.5                         PVP #8300102                                                                           94.4   84.6 5.0    5.9  43.5   28.5 9.6    5.3                         # EXPTS 6      6    6      6    6      6    6      6                           DIFF    1.1    2.8  35.4   14.8 17.0   18.2 8.5    4.9                         PROB    0.150  0.392                                                                               0.000* 0.000*                                                                              0.000*                                  __________________________________________________________________________

Table 3C compares ZS1679 to Holden's Inbred #223. ZS1679 has a lower grain moisture at harvest and a lower yield than Holden's Inbred #223. ZS1679 flowers significantly later than does Holden's Inbred #223 (HeatP and HeatS), though heat units to 90% pollination is not significantly different. Holden's Inbred #223 pollen shed rating is significantly better than ZS1679. ZS1679 is a taller inbred than Holden's Inbred #223.

                                      TABLE 3C                                     __________________________________________________________________________     PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA                                                  __________________________________________________________________________                                  PCT  PLANT EAR        EAR   PCT                   YEAR   INBRED     VIGOR                                                                               EMERGE                                                                               TILLER                                                                              HEIGHT                                                                               HEIGHT                                                                               SHED QUALITY                                                                              BARREN                __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL                                                                               ZS1679     5.5  70.3       141.0 57.1  6.0                                     Holden's Inbred #223                                                                      6.5  78.3       124.5 55.9  7.8                                     # EXPTS    4    4          4     4     4                                       DIFF       1.0  8.1        16.5  1.3   1.8                                     PROB       0.332                                                                               0.315      0.117 0.756 0.069***                         __________________________________________________________________________     YEAR    INBRED      HEATP10                                                                              HEATP50 HEATP90                                                                              HEATS10  HEATS50                                                                              HEATS90                 __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL ZS1679      1389  1433    1505  1432     1475  1538                            Holden's Inbred #223                                                                       1341  1368    1456  1369     1408  1445                            # EXPTS     4     4       4     4        4     4                               DIFF        48    64      48    63       67    92                              PROB        0.083***                                                                             0.075***                                                                               0.169 0.065*** 0.086***                                                                             0.077***                __________________________________________________________________________                                      %    %                                                                    BL   ROOT STALK                                                                               % DROPPED                           YEAR   INBRED  HEATPEEK                                                                              HEATBL                                                                               MOIST                                                                               LODGE                                                                               LOGDE                                                                               EARS    MOISTURE                                                                              YIELD                __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL                                                                               ZS1679  1314                                10.8   19.3                        Holden's Inbred                                                                        1274                                11.4   42.1                        #223                                                                           # EXPTS 4                                   4      4                           DIFF    40                                  0.5    22.8                        PROB    0.144                               0.506                       __________________________________________________________________________                        WARM COLD  % LRG                                                                               % LRG % MED                                                                               % MED % SML                                                                               % SML                 YEAR   INBRED      GERM GERM  ROUND                                                                               FLAT  ROUND                                                                               FLAT  ROUND                                                                               FLAT                  __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL                                                                               ZS1679      92.8 82.4  31.9 11.5  42.0 11.0  2.2  0.3                          Holden's Inbred #223                                                                       92.8 85.8  2.6  13.6  32.8 42.5  4.3  2.8                          # EXPTS     4    4     4    4     4    4     4    4                            DIFF        0.0  3.4   29.2 2.1   9.2  31.5  2.1  2.5                          PROB        1.000                                                                               0.241 0.004*                                                                              0.567 0.066***                              __________________________________________________________________________

Table 3D shows ZS1679 has lower grain harvest moisture and lower yield than PVP#9200032. ZS1679 has significantly lower cold germination and significantly more heat units to silking than does PVP#9200032. PVP#9200032 has a higher vigor rating and more emerged seedlings than does ZS1679.

                                      TABLE 3D                                     __________________________________________________________________________     PAIRED INBRED COMPARISON DATA                                                  __________________________________________________________________________                                PCT   PLANT EAR         EAR   PCT                   YEAR   INBRED  VIGOR EMERGE                                                                               TILLER                                                                               HEIGHT                                                                               HEIGHT                                                                               SHED  QUALITY                                                                              BARREN                __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL                                                                               ZS1679  5.5   70.3        141.0 57.1  6.0                                      PVP #9200032                                                                           6.0   83.1        132.1 55.2  5.5                                      # EXPTS 4     4           4     4     4                                        DIFF    0.5   12.8        8.9   1.9   0.5                                      PROB    0.584 0.258       0.496 0.832 0.182                             __________________________________________________________________________     YEAR   INBRED    HEATP10                                                                              HEATP50  HEATP90                                                                              HEATS10   HEATS50                                                                              HEATS90                  __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL                                                                               ZS1679    1389  1433     1505  1432      1475  1538                            PVP #9200032                                                                             1391  1442     1479  1368      1392  1442                            # EXPTS   4     4        4     4         4     4                               DIFF      2     9        26    63        83    96                              PROB      0.919 0.778    0.395 0.027**   0.020**                                                                              0.083***                 __________________________________________________________________________                               BL   % ROOT                                                                               % STALK                                                                              % DROPPED                           YEAR   INBRED                                                                               HEATPEEK                                                                              HEATBL                                                                               MOIST                                                                               LODGE LOGDE EARS    MOISTURE                                                                              YIELD                __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL                                                                               ZS1679                                                                               1314                                  10.8   19.3                        PVP   1325                                  11.1   35.8                        #9200032                                                                       # EXPTS                                                                              4                                     4      4                           DIFF  10                                    0.2    16.5                        PROB  0.597                                 0.855                       __________________________________________________________________________                    WARM   COLD % LRG  % LRG                                                                               % MED  % MED                                                                               % SML  % SML                YEAR   INBRED  GERM   GERM ROUND  FLAT ROUND  FLAT ROUND  FLAT                 __________________________________________________________________________     OVERALL                                                                               ZS1679  92.8   82.4 31.9   11.5 42.0   11.0 2.2    0.3                         PVP #9200032                                                                           96.0   96.0 0.0    0.3  15.5   25.9 21.7   21.4                        # EXPTS 4      4    4      4    4      4    4      4                           DIFF    3.2    13.6 31.9   11.1 26.5   14.9 19.5   21.1                        PROB    0.316  0.015**                                                                             0.003* 0.010**                                                                             0.070***                                __________________________________________________________________________

Table 4A compares ZS1679 GCA (general combining ability) scoring across inbred testers with its parent CM105. The inbred testers are not all the same. The estimates show the general combining ability is weighted by the number of experiment/location combinations in which the specific hybrid combination occurs. The interpretation of the data for all traits is that a positive comparison is a practical advantage. A negative comparison is a practical disadvantage. The general combining ability of an inbred is clearly evidenced by the results of the general combining ability estimates. This data compares the inbred parent in a number of hybrid combinations to a group of "checks". The check data is from other companies' hybrids, particularly the leader in the industry and ICI Seeds' commercial products and pre-commercial hybrids which were grown in the same sets and locations.

                  TABLE 4A                                                         ______________________________________                                         GI        YM     YLD     MOIST  RM    SL   RL                                  ______________________________________                                         ZS1679                                                                               -1.5    0.1    -4.9  0.8    93    0.6  0.2                               CM105 -8.1    -0.8   -14.4 -0.4   88    -1.3 0.5                               ______________________________________                                    

ZS1679 has a better G index which takes into account the agronomic characteristics of the inbred. ZS1679 also has a better yield by moisture score. ZS1679 has lower grain moisture at harvest and better yield than CM105. ZS1679 has better resistance to stalk lodging and lower resistance to root lodging than does CM105.

Table 4B compares ZS1679 with PVP#8300102 another parent.

                  TABLE 4B                                                         ______________________________________                                                 GI   YM     YLD    MOIST  RM   SL   RL                                 ______________________________________                                         ZS1679    -1.5   0.1    -4.9 0.8    93   0.6  0.2                              PVP #8300102                                                                             -2.3   0.0    -3.3 0.5    90   -0.9 0.1                              ______________________________________                                    

ZS1679 shows better agronomics overall in the GI index scoring. Additionally, ZS1679 has better yield by moisture and moisture scores with lower yield. ZS1679 has better resistance to both root and stalk lodging than does PVP#8300102.

Table 4C compares ZS1679 with Holden's Inbred #223.

                  TABLE 4C                                                         ______________________________________                                                 GI   YM     YLD    MOIST  RM   SL   RL                                 ______________________________________                                         ZS1679    -1.5   0.1    -4.9 0.8    93   0.6  0.2                              Holden's Inbred                                                                          -3.5   0.4    -7.8 2.3    95   -0.1 0.5                              #223                                                                           ______________________________________                                    

Holden's Inbred #223.

ZS1679 has better agronomic as evidenced by the G index than Holden's Inbred #223. ZS1679 has a lower yield by moisture rating due to the lower moisture rating of ZS1679. ZS1679 has a higher yield rating than Holden's Inbred #223. ZS1679 has better resistance for stalk lodging than does Holden's Inbred #223 and less resistance to root lodging than does Holden's Inbred #223.

Table 4D compares ZS1679 with PVP#9200032 for the traits.

                  TABLE 4D                                                         ______________________________________                                                 GI   YM     YLD    MOIST  RM   SL   RL                                 ______________________________________                                         ZS1679    -1.5   .1     -4.7 0.8    93   0.6  0.2                              PVP #9200032                                                                             -1.5   -.1    -3.2 0.1    97   0.5  0.0                              ______________________________________                                    

ZS1679 and PVP#9200032 have similar G index scores. ZS1679 has a better yield divided by moisture score than PVP#9200032. ZS1679 has a lower yield and a higher grain moisture at harvest score than does PVP#9200032. ZS1679 has better resistance to stalk lodging and root lodging than does PVP#9200032.

Overall, ZS1679 has better moisture characteristics than the comparison inbreds. In the instance that it had a lower moisture score, it showed better GI score and yield and resistance to stalk lodging score than the compared inbred.

Table 5 shows the yield response of inbred ZS1679 in hybrid combination when compared to other inbreds in hybrid combination which are planted in the same locations.

                  TABLE 5                                                          ______________________________________                                         YIELD RESPONSE                                                                 HYBRIDS      YIELD                                                             ______________________________________                                         ZS1679/Tester inbred                                                                        76     103    129   156  182   208                                Environment  75     100    125   150  175   200                                ______________________________________                                    

ZS1679 as this hybrid has responded well across yield environments from low to high. ZS1679 Hybrid is excellent in high yield, irrigated conditions.

Table 6A shows ZS1679 crossed to the same inbred as the commercially available hybrids. When ZS1679 was crossed to the respective common tester, the ZS1679 hybrid(s) in both comparisons had less yield than the commercial hybrid on the tester. But in both instances the ZS1679 hybrid had significantly less moisture and the same or better stalk and root lodging resistance.

                                      TABLE 6A                                     __________________________________________________________________________     TESTS   YLD                                                                               ADV MOIST                                                                               ADV SL                                                                               ADV RL ADV                                           __________________________________________________________________________     8952                                                                              14    95.9                                                                             -1.2                                                                               23.0 +3.2*                                                                              5.3                                                                              +3.5                                                                               0.0                                                                               0.0                                           8883                                                                              14   106.6                                                                             -12.0*                                                                             23.6 +3.8*                                                                              2.3                                                                              +0.5                                                                               0.0                                                                               0.0                                           __________________________________________________________________________

Table 6B shows ZS1679 crossed to an inbred containing a herbicide resistant gene, compared to the inbred 8896 which contains the same common tester but without the herbicide resistant gene. ZS1679 hybrid had more grain moisture at harvest and had higher yield and better resistance to both stalk lodging and root lodging.

                                      TABLE 6B                                     __________________________________________________________________________             TESTS                                                                               YLD                                                                               ADV MOIST                                                                               ADV SL                                                                               ASV RL ADV                                      __________________________________________________________________________     ZS1679/CT IT                                                                           35   142.2                                                                             2.6 22.0 -1.0*                                                                              3.2                                                                              1.1 1.1                                                                               +0.4                                     8896    35   139.5  21.0     4.3   1.5                                         __________________________________________________________________________

Table 6C compares ZS1679 and parent PVP#8300102 with common tester.

                                      TABLE 6C                                     __________________________________________________________________________               TESTS                                                                               YLD                                                                               ADV MOIST                                                                               ADV SL                                                                               ASV RL ADV                                    __________________________________________________________________________     ZS1679/CT 9    148.0                                                                             2.9 18.9 0.6 0.7                                                                              1.6 0.0                                                                               0.0                                    PVP #8300102/CT                                                                               145.1  19.4     2.3   0.0                                       __________________________________________________________________________

* indicates significance at the 0.10 level.

Table 6C results show that the present inbred in hybrid combination had higher yield and lower moisture and less stalk lodging than did PVP#8300102 on the same common inbred tester.

The foregoing is set forth by way of example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

This invention also is directed to methods for producing a corn plant by crossing a first parent corn plant with a second parent corn plant wherein the first or second parent corn plant is an inbred corn plant from the line ZS1679. Further, both first and second parent corn plants can come from the inbred corn line ZS1679. A variety of breeding methods can be selected depending on the mode of reproduction, the trait, the condition of the germplasm. Thus, any such methods using the inbred corn line ZS1679 are part of this invention: selfing, backcrosses, hybrid production, crosses to populations, and the like.

Various culturing techniques known to those skilled in the art, such as haploid, transformation, and a host of other conventional and unconventional methods are within the scope of the invention. All plants and plant cells produced using inbred corn line ZS1679 are within the scope of this invention. The invention encompasses the inbred corn line used in crosses with other, different, corn inbreds to produce (F1) corn hybrid seeds and plants with the characteristics that make good hybrids. This invention includes cells which upon growth and differentiation produce corn plants having the physiological and morphological characteristics of the inbred line ZS1679.

Duncan, from at least 1985-1988 produced literature on plant regeneration from callus. Both inbred and hybrid callus have resulted in regenerated plants at excellent efficiency rates. Somatic embryogenesis has been performed on various maize tissue such as glume which before the 1980's was considered unuseable for this purpose. The prior art clearly teaches the regeneration of plants from various maize tissues.

Stauffer Chemical, the predecessor to Zeneca Ag Chem, in European Patent Application, publication 160,390, incorporated herein by reference describes tissue culture of corn. Corn tissue culture procedures are also described in the literature as early as 1982.

A deposit of at least 2500 seeds of the inbred seed of this invention is maintained by ICI Seeds, 2369 330th St., Slater, Iowa 50244. Access to this deposit will be available during the pendency of this application to the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks and persons determined by the Commissioner to be entitled thereto upon request. All restrictions on availability to the public of such material will be removed upon allowance of any claims of this application by depositing at least 2500 seeds of this invention at the American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Md. The deposit of at least 2500 seeds will be from the same inbred seed taken from the deposit maintained by ICI Seeds. The ATCC deposit will be maintained in that depository, which is a public depository, for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the last request, or for the effective life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomes nonviable during that period.

Inbreds designated MBS are available from Mike Brayton Seed in Iowa. Inbreds designated SGI are available from Seed Genetic Inc. in New Jersey. Information on the ZS designations may be available from the PVP office.

Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the present invention is defined by the following claims contrued in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the preferred embodiment of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein. 

We claim:
 1. Inbred corn seed designated ZS1679 seed of which has been deposited in the ATCC under deposit number X.
 2. A corn plant produced by the seed of claim
 1. 3. A tissue culture of regenerable cells of ZS1679 seed of which has been deposited in the ATCC under deposit number X.
 4. A tissue culture according to claim 3, the tissue culture selected from the group consisting of leaves, pollen, embryos, roots, root tips, anthers, silk, flowers, kernels, ears, cobs, husks and stalks, and cells and protoplasts thereof.
 5. A corn plant having all the physiological and morphological traits of ZS1679 seed of which has been deposited in the ATCC under deposit number X and regenerated from the tissue culture of claim
 3. 6. Hybrid seed produced by:(a) planting, in pollinating proximity, seeds of corn inbred lines ZS1679 seed of which has been deposited in the ATCC under deposit number X and another inbred line; (b) cultivating corn plants resulting from said planting; (c) preventing pollen production by the plants of one of the inbred lines; (d) allowing cross pollinating to occur between said inbred lines;and (e) harvesting seeds produced on plants of the inbred line of step (c).
 7. Hybrid seed produced by hybrid combination of plants of inbred corn seed designated ZS1679 seed of which has been deposited in the ATCC under deposit number X and plants of another inbred line.
 8. Hybrid plants grown from seed of claim
 7. 9. A first generation (F1) hybrid corn plant produced by the process of:(a) planting seeds of corn inbred lines ZS1679 seed of which has been deposited in the ATCC under deposit number X and another inbred line; (b) cultivating corn plants resulting from said planting; (c) preventing pollen production by the plants of one of the inbred lines; (d) allowing cross pollinating to occur between said inbred lines; (e) harvesting seeds produced on plants of the inbred line of step (c); and (f) growing a harvested seed of step (e).
 10. A tissue culture of the regenerable cells of the corn plant of claim
 8. 11. A tissue culture of the regenerable cells of the corn plant of claim
 9. 